The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-20
THE RIVIERA EARTHQUAKE.
Personal Description of the Affair by q
Former Indiana Lady.

WASHINGTON, March l9-Mr. D. r. Mckee,
the Washington agent of the Associated Press,
has received a letter from his wife. who was at
Nice during the recent earthquake. from which
the following extracts. Mrs. Mckee 10 the
daughter of General W. Mckee Dunn. formerly
Judge Advocate general of the Army:
90 PROMENADE DIES ANGLA1s
NICE. Feb. g. 1887.
Ny Dear Husband-The French love sensations.
Certainly those at Nice have had their fill within the
last twentyf hours Last night the carnival fes
Invites eliminated amidst the greatest excitement and
egthusasm-with Examinations. torchlghts 1nagnif
cent fireworks and masque balls.
This morning at 6 o'clock the whole town in
the street. rushing about in the widest terror crazed
with fright--an earthquakes! I was awakened by my
bed shaking violently and at first thought it time
to get up. and that Richie amusing himself jump
ing up and down the spring mattresses as he fire.
the continued violent rafting Of every piece of
furniture in the room. swaying OF wardrobe and
earthquake. In instant realized that there was
piece of furniture of the boys room that could
fall upon them; that the end would come. one
the other before could get out OF the house, and
lay perfectly still and thought of you and your agony
if your family were all swept from you by one fell
| blow.
It was the first time in my life that was fright
ened. but was perfectly self possessed and deadly
calm. felt utterly powerless but quietly awaited the
less time. The children we're awakened Dunn came
into the room. Laner called me- all realizing what
|
clock. put my wrapper and slippers near the
| bed, had the children do the Same. and told
them the instant they felt another shock to be
ready to go into the street few minutes after there
| was another. though much milder. Then thought
of those rghtful tidal waves that rise up and sweep
away cities: This made me more anxious than any
thing else but in spite of everything-hurrying feet
over my head, old Mare's Mon Deus and wringng
of hands-we all went to sleep again Immediately
after and awakened by the arrival Of the whole
| H. family, who had come to sympathize with
and cheer me. You imagine their disgust
ths Of the snd hey had
full benefit of the force of the shock great cracks in
their walls and plaster falling. All the people in their
all sorts of costumes The H.'s left in bed, and
then Mrs R. came in and begged me to get up saying
| there would be more shocks. and that people were
fleeing from the city in every direction.
IT, got up and went down the promenade to
the West end Hotel. The promenade was alive with
their breakfast the hotel people had theirs
brought out in the gardens and on tho sidewalks.
met Mrs. R.. very excitable woman. She put her
arms around me- and crying, said: ITO think ttat
you stayed in bed and went to sleep" And she was
actually v-xed at me for laughing at her. found
that had very little of the fright the RS above me
felt. and the AS in the third story Their walls
cracked bells rung and pictures fell. but we being SC
low down were spared all that
All day long carriages and wagons of all kinds have
been hurryng in every direction, loaded with people
and their baggage. The railroad officials ceased
selling tickets and many people have gone back into
the mountains for the night the AS among them
The hotels deserted, and to-day could buy the
finest villa Nice Few hundred DOLLARS believe
The shops closed and every vacant lot is covered
with people camping out with their household goods
We drove around this afternoon and about
twenty thirty houses with their gable ends out
cornices and chimneys off and some had cracks. bu
no houses demolished. The widest have beer
sfoat that Marseilles and Cannes wrecked anf
that sixty houses in Paris were in ruins My friends
the H. IS and s. still at the hotel but have takeI
rooms on the first floor. Many people spending
the night in carriages the promenade. and there
in courtyard waiting for Mrs. A., who is il
great fright which is not to be wondered at, she
| not III good health
have made fun of people all day. as I felt that
was all over this morning, and that we are as SAT
here as any place Before go 70 bed shall put m,
valuables all together and have my heavy clothin
! conveniently near. and shall leave the rest to tn
Lord My going to sleep again this morning remind
me OF fathers equanimity. did not send you a
begram. as knew you would expect to hear from m
If anything was wrong. or if not from from som
OF my friends, though should have done SO in spit
of this assurance could have secured a carriage +
take to the telegraph Office; but they could b
obtained with the greatest difficulty and at rdicuou
Q prices.
THURSDAY. Feb 24.-I wrote this far last nigh
till nearly IL O'Clock, and then tired went
4 bed This morning early [ received your weleom
letter of the 1th, and about o'clock your yester
days cablegram. regret very much now that di
not send you message yesterday, fear you hav
been anxious about l answered yours abou
1890, saying. .'All well: danger over" l hope
will reach you all right. When first went to the Of
3 fee it crowded that went off and did som
errands returning when most of tho people would b
at dinner and did not have to wait SO long.
There were three slight shocks during the nighI
but VIC did not feel them. All of slept straigh
through. l. of courre. not IS soundly usual.
had earthquakes my mind. Almost everyone wa
: up and dressed all night. The five --s slept In